RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-03152
INDEX CODE: 107.00
COUNSEL: Clackmas County
Veterans Service Ofc
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY COMPLETION DATE: 18 FEBRUARY 2007
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to show he was awarded the Purple Heart (PH), the
Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM), the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship
Ribbon (SAEMR), and the Missile Pin.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He should have the KDSM, SAEMR, and Missile Pin. He is not sure if he was
awarded the PH for injuries he received from an explosion. The applicant's
complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 22 December 1960, the applicant was discharged (under honorable
conditions) in the grade of airman basic (E-1) and issued a General
Discharge Certificate. He was credited with 9 years, 2 months and 22 days
of active duty service.
He received the following awards: Korean Service Medal, United Nations
Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea
Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon w/1
OLC, and Good Conduct Medal w/2 Bronze Loops.
On 15 February 2006, the applicant was notified of his entitlement to wear
the Missile Badge. His record will be updated and a DD 215 will be issued
to reflect the update.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the PH,
KDSM, and SAEMR.
DPPPR states the PH is awarded for wounds received as a direct result of
enemy actions (i.e. gunshot or shrapnel wounds, hand-to-hand combat wounds
forced aircraft bail out injuries, etc.). In addition, it is necessary
that the wound would have required or received treatment by medical
personnel. Indirect injuries do not meet the criteria for award of the PH.
These include, but are not limited to, injuries received while seeking
shelter from mortar or rocket attacks, aircraft bombings, grenades, and
injuries incurred while serving as an aircrew member or in a passenger
status as a result of the aircraft’s evasive measures against hostile fire.
DPPPR notes the applicant was awarded the Korean Service Medal for his
service in Korea. DPPPR affirms the applicant qualified for Sharpshooter
on 12 October 1951; however, during this time the SAMER was not authorized.
DPPPR’s evaluation is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force Evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for
review and comment on 3 March 2006. As of this date, this office has
received no response (Exhibit D).
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or
regulations.
2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of
justice to excuse the failure to timely file.
3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of error or injustice. Other than his own assertions, the
applicant has provided no documentary evidence that would establish his
entitlement to the above-cited awards. We found no evidence of medical
treatment for the injuries he alleges he received from an explosion.
Additionally, section 29 of his separation document states “None” for
wounds received as a result of action with enemy forces; therefore, he does
not meet the criteria for the PH medal. Available evidence indicates the
applicant did not serve a tour in Korea during the time the KDSM was
sanctioned, and the SMAER was not authorized during the time he qualified
for sharpshooter. Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation
of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale
as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim
of an error or injustice. Although we are not unmindful or unappreciative
of his service to his Nation, in the absence of documentary evidence that,
in our view, successfully refutes the Air Force assessment of his case, we
have no basis on which to favorably consider this application.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate
the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was
denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be
reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not
considered with this application.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive
Session on 2 May 2006, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Chair
Ms. Dorothy P. Loeb, Member
Mr. John E. B. Smith, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-2005-03152:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 10 Oct 05 w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 22 Feb 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Mar 06.
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Chair
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